Agric Ministry Moves To Review Cooperative Acts

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and other stakeholders are brainstorming in Abuja to review existing laws that govern the cooperative sector.

The review cover Cooperative Development Act Cap C.27. LFN, 2004; the Nigerian Cooperative Societies Act Cap N.98, LFN, 2004 and the Cooperative Development Policy.

They are also deliberating on a bill prepared to provide legal backing for the National Center for Cooperative Development (NCCD) in Sheda, Kwali Area Council and the proposed regulations to be adopted by the Federal Department of Cooperatives.

At the opening of cooperative stakeholders engagement workshop yesterday in Abuja, themed, “Repositioning the Cooperative Sector to Sustainably Drive Nigeria’s Social and Economic Development”, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Ernest Umakhihe said for the cooperative sector to sustainably participate in developing Nigeria, it must be focused, inward looking, harness resources available within Nigeria and carry along policy makers, policy implementers and other stakeholders within the three tiers of government.

Represented by the director, special duties, Fisal Lawal, the permanent secretary urged the cooperatives to avoid intolerance, lack of accountability and non-conformity with the Cooperative Acts.

According to the director, Federal Department of Cooperatives, Engr Abubakar Jibrini, the theme of the workshop was crafted to re-awaken the cooperatives to the need to join the journey towards achieving all the Sustainable Development Goals.

He said, “With the declaration of state of emergency in food security by the present administration, the challenge is on us to show our relevance and potency to contribute to Mr President’s achievement of the objective of the state of emergency in food security and other national development.

With the dying oil resources accruing to Nigeria, the cooperative sector is once again being called upon to re-enact their brilliant performances of the 60s and early 70s”.